About Us

Our church is a Southern Baptist church located in rural S.E. Oklahoma. We have around 200+ active members and serve a large rural community. Our pastor, Ed Rogers, has been at our church for more than 25 years. Since becoming our pastor in 1983, our church has relocated to the highway, and expanded its ministry and membership. Our church mission statement is: "Connecting People to God" and our prayer is others may come to Christ through the ministry outreach of these sermon notes.

The more we know, the stronger our faith should be. Faith is not emotions or feelings, but based on something solid and certain.

Question? how does this differ from other hopes? ie: Islam, Buddhism, secular, agnostic? #1. this hope is in Christ!! Not in relationship, tradition, holy man, prophet, etc. Not in your own ability, righteousness, works, etc.

#2. This hope is based on His words.... His deeds... miracles, ministry, fulfilled prophecy, resurrection His character.... His promises...Christ came to solidify our hope in God and His promises, and left his Holy Spirit as the guarantee of that hope.All hopes are NOT created equal!!!

Question? What can I be confident of?Answers: salvation, reconciliation, right standing, eternal life, eternal home, reunion with all who have gone on before, final justice, "all set right" Heb. 6:19 a

Meanwhile, we can be confident that: He's in control - regardless of life's situations He's with us in all situations He'll make even bad turn into good! Rom. 8:28

Note: Just because there is a Christian hope, doesn't mean you can avail yourself of it.

II. Utilizing the Christian Hope. ie: employing, putting to use, benefiting from, etc.BECAUSE, existence and availability does not necessarily equal benefit. You must accept and make it yours personally.A. Examine the Christian Hope. (look at, study, understand)Eph. 1:18Christian hope does not necessarily: 1. provide all you desire 2. grant you all that's available

So, you must B. Embrace the Hope. (conscious, deliberate choice and action)by embracing 1. Christ (you can't possess the Hope without Him!!) - John 14:6 2. Christ's teachings, truths, etc.Don't live outside His will but expect Him to bless anyway. In relationships, business dealings, lifestyle, habits, etc.

D. Live the Hope (day to day practical application of what we declare!!)Contrast constant emotional and verbal comments with daily applications, actions, lifestyle - in marriage, in Christianity. Eph. 4:1

E. Share the Hope because it's not just for you and yours. It's about the whole world.1 Pet. 3:15